189 Comments

It’s not defeat; it’s self-care. And a breathtaking sky. Justice Marshall’s legacy lives on, and can be written about anytime. Thank you for all that you do. Have a great night!

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Peace. You deserve an early night. Thank you for all you do for us.

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Thank you, Professor Richardson, you deserve all the rest you can get. Let a cool Maine breeze tonight give you the energy you need to keep your incredible service to our ailing democracy going. We are so grateful for you. Thank you for the historical insight and pragmatic sanity you provide in these very troubling times.

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I went to college in Maine and lived on Mt Desert Island during the summers. Buddy's photos bring back floods of memories from those years. An early riser, I caught many sunrises on the water as well as from the peak of Cadillac Mountain. The Maine coast is one of two places where upon arrival I experience a visceral reaction: My heart rate slows, my breathing settles down, and I'm enveloped by a sense of calm and well being.

In the years since, during or after periods of great stress or anxiety, I've flown to Maine for a reset. I'll climb out on some rocks and am happy to sit all day, occasionally writing, but more frequently watching the waves come in and out. These photos are the second best part of your column - but some days, given how weird things are, they're the best part of my week! Thank you.

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Thank you for all you say. Your newsletter for October 1, was extraordinary and especially in the way it implicated our mainstream media like the NY Times in attacking the competence of Biden's administration being complicit with the republicans in undermining our democracy. Truer thoughts were never articulated as well. The ilk of Bret Stephens, Ross Doubt that and David Brooks should be at the Wall street Journal editorial board where Stephens came from.

I can't wait to read your piece on Thurgood Marshall, a brilliant lawyer and Judge. You really come to know him when you read the Pulitzer Prize winning biography by Gilbert King "Devil in the Grove: Thurgood Marshall, the Groveland Boys, and the Dawn of a New America". He literally put his life in jeopardy to defend wrongfully charged black defendants all over the south. He is unique as a criminal defense lawyer to have reached the highest court in the land and to have brought to the job such a finely honed sense of the injustice in our our criminal justice system. It is an embarrassment to see the six republican justices there now and their intentional indifference to the inequities in our criminal justice system.

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Be well. Thank you so much for your clear analyses of how our time now reflects our past US history. I hope enough of us are willing to work for an outcome of equity and justice.

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Heather, Joseph Campbell, in THE POWER OF MYTH, describes the characteristics of a hero. You are my hero for your selfless dedication to being a brilliant lighthouse bringing scholarly insight to your multitude of devotees. Your sense of humanity permeates your remarkable Letters. May your light continue to shine, perhaps twice/thrice weekly, so that it’s candescence will longer guide us through these perilous times.

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We all enjoy your letters and of course the sunsets are bonuses !

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G. Ito's comment 38 minutes ago speaks for me too!

As far as I'm concerned, you should take weekends OFF; unless there is an emergency of some kind that could use your historical context and insightful analysis.

Thank you, Professor! Immerse yourself in that beautiful weather and recharge!

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“Truth is more than a mental exercise.”

- Thurgood Marshall

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Beautiful photo!

It's not defeat to take time for yourself. Enjoy.

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Spectacular!!! Thank you for this beauty and all the truth and knowledge you share. Enjoy the rest of your weekend!

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Yesterday, I got to spend the entire day with my two adult daughters, MK who is 35 and Rian, who is 29. We had decided long ago to go to Immersive Van Gogh together and though I felt very disappointed when I realized I couldn’t attend the Women’s March here in MN, just decided to take a day off from politics. It was perfect.

We started with lunch at our favorite Chinese restaurant, then to Immersive Van Gogh (which is fabulous,) then to MK’s art studio which is literally across the street from the Minneapolis venue for Immersive in the NE Minneapolis Arts District.

Both daughters went to school for fashion; MK has a certificate in Apparel Technologies from a local community college, an impressive accomplishment for someone with her learning disabilities. Rian has a degree in pattern making from the London College of fashion-yes, she is THAT good. Both women love to repurpose and refurbish clothing, and reuse scrap textiles to keep them out of the waste stream. Spending the afternoon with these creative, resourceful snd smart kids of mine was balm for the soul and energizing.

I think a lot about how much different all our lives might be going forward should Republicans prevail in 2022 and beyond. Rian is my biological child and I was a single parent for many years, able to support her on my own without any help from her dad-who communicates with his daughter about every ten years-maybe. MK is my stepdaughter- she was adopted from Korea by my late husband and his first wife. Together, We are a small, diverse family of choice- never happier than when immersed in art, good food and long conversations.

When I realized Dr. Richardson had rightly taken a day off, I felt grateful to enjoy a sunset from the Maine coast. I too love sea kayaking and there are few things more calming than viewing the brilliant colors while gliding over calm water.

Then I felt that familiar pinch that I should be doing something more to protect democracy. Sigh. Having a political conscience can be a bitch somedays…. Looking forward to learning more about Thurgood Marshall, efforts to secure the right to vote and secure women’s rights to choose their own paths. Grateful to you Dr. Richardson, for your incredible yeoman efforts to help us paddle through choppy waters. Rest well.

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One of my uncles who had a very droll wit used to say to us kids, “Sleep fast! Big day tomorrow!”

Looking forward to your insights, thank you as always.

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The hues are stunning! Thank you for all you share and teach us. Peace and sleep well.

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Time for a wee poem ...

GLORY BE

LET US BEGIN ANEW

IN ALL WE DO

WITH EVERY BREATH WE TAKE

LET US MAKE OF OURSELVES

VESSELS

FOR POWERS OF LOVE

WHOLESOME AND TRUE

IT IS NOT WE WHO BREATHE

BUT ONE WHO IN AND THROUGH US BREATHES

ESSENCE OF ALL WIND EVER BLOWING

WHO MAKES THE EARTH AND ALL THINGS TURN

AND STARS TO SHINE IN PERPETUITY

SO LET US LOVE

AND SERVE THIS ONE

WHO LIVES AND BREATHES

AT THE CORE OF ALL BEING

WHO BRINGS US LIFE

WITH EVERY BREATH

WHOSE LOVE

OUR ONLY DUTY

IS TO SHARE

k. allen

10/10/2020

https://tahomahome.weebly.com/glory-be.html

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